Plant genotypic variation influences plant-herbivore interactions in the tall goldenrod system
2023-01
Loading...
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Plant genotypic variation influences plant-herbivore interactions in the tall goldenrod system
Alternative title
Authors
Published Date
2023-01
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
The evolution of plants and herbivores is strongly influenced by anthropogenic changes in theirenvironment such as invasive species. This can lead to an outbreak of pests, and a decline in
native species. Tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima, is a widespread species native to the USA and
a host plant to many arthropod species. Goldenrod is also invasive in many countries, including
Japan, and the invasive populations has facilitated the introduction of herbivore species. The
susceptibility of the tall goldenrod to herbivory is a result of intraspecific phenotypic variation at
large and small spatial scales as a result of adaptation to local abiotic and biotic factors. I set up
common garden experiments of seven S. altissima populations to examine 1) differences in
phenological and morphological differences of tall goldenrod populations and 2) the effect of
these differences on six common herbivores of tall goldenrod. I predicted that insect
specialization would influence herbivore choice for goldenrod phenotypes. The results showed
that there are phenotypic differences among the goldenrod populations and these phenotypes are
determined by genetic × environmental effects. Additionally, the hypothesis that insect
specialization would influence herbivore choice for goldenrod phenotypes was also supported.
Overall, goldenrod variation differed across large ranges due to local adaptation, but there is also
variation within populations that is maintained, and this makes S. altissima successful at
colonization and adapting to changes in the environment. This intraspecific plant variation
influenced herbivore community composition and abundance giving insight into how bottom-up
effects lead to pest outbreaks and invasive herbivores.
Keywords
Description
University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. January 2023. Major: Integrated Biosciences. Advisor: Timothy Craig. 1 computer file (PDF); v, 134 pages.
Related to
Replaces
License
Collections
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Other identifiers
Suggested citation
Medina, Lilhac. (2023). Plant genotypic variation influences plant-herbivore interactions in the tall goldenrod system. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/253411.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.